If a high school prospect is looking to make an immediate impact on the collegiate level as a true freshman these days, one of the easiest ways to get a leg up on the competition is to enroll early.

It's a trend that seems to be increasing across the country and the Texas Longhorns could benefit as much from the aggressive development plan as any team in the nation in 2007, as almost a half-dozen members from their top-ranked recruiting class plans on arriving in Austin in mid-January.

The latest commitment to pounce on the idea of enrolling early is Springdale, Arkansas tight end Zack Pianalto.

"Yeah, I talked with the Texas coached and it was something that we looked into and plan on doing," Pianalto. "Everything looks good with the Clearinghouse right now. I'm really looking forward to it."

Although Pianalto missed much of the 2006 season with a broken collarbone, it's not an injury that's expecting to keep Pianalto off of the practice field when the Longhorns begin spring drills next February. With current senior Neale Tweedie finishing out his eligibility this season, there's a definite possibility for early playing time as a true freshman.

"It would definitely be cool if I can play as a freshman, but if they think I need to redshirt, I'm fine with that," Pianalto said. "I'm just going to see what happens when I get there and try to learn the offense as soon as possible."

With the timetable for his arrival having changed, Pianalto knows that the next few weeks will be filled with quite a few emotions.

"It just hit me the other day that I only have about five more weeks of school left," Pianalto, who will take his official visit to Austin o December 8th, said. "I want to live it up until then and get back into shape so that I'll be ready to go when I get down there."